Neil Sawyer

UK & I channel director, HP Inc

What achievement are you most proud of?

Running 500 officially timed miles for Alzheimer's Society in one year, which included six marathons and 15 half marathons among a load of 10Ks.

What has been the biggest change in the channel since you started working in it?

More innovative approaches to selling. A big paradigm shift in focusing on delivering fully integrated solutions and services.

What three things could you not live without?

Spotify, my Lync headset and Peppa Pig (it provides a great distraction for my daughter!).

What has been your most embarrassing moment so far?

I remember my first day working at HP when I was 20 years old. I went to photocopy something and managed to get my tie trapped in the manual paper feeder. That still haunts me as the lady that had to cut me free still works here!

What do your family think you do all day?

My wife thinks I speak another language with all the abbreviations and acronyms we use. So who knows - perhaps she has suspicions that I work in the Foreign Office!

Who is your ultimate celeb crush?

I don't have one.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Gravy.

What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?

To ban wheelie cases as hand luggage (I am writing this as I am sat on a plane that has been delayed due to this issue!).

Has 2015 been a good, bad or ugly year?

A good year both personally and professionally. HP gained market share, won some awesome new customer contracts and launched some exciting new initiatives with our partners.

If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would you do?

I always fancied being a teacher but as somebody said to me the other day, that requires patience.

What major issues will the channel face in 2016?

The partners I most admire are those who are always looking to innovate their business and customer proposition. The issues will lie with those who are not prepared to continually adapt. This is the most rewarding experience when we launch something together.